Polymers obtainable from oxetane based macromonomers, method for the production thereof, and the use thereof as additives in coating agents and plastics

ABSTRACT

A polymer obtainable by free-radical polymerization of one or more oxetane-based macromonomers and optionally one or more further, free-radically polymerizable comonomers, the oxetane-based macromonomer(s) being obtainable by cationic ring-opening polymerization of at least one hydroxyoxetane with a terminally ethylenically unsaturated starter molecule free of allyl groups in a molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s):starter molecule) of (100:1) to (1:1) in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst. Processes for preparing the polymer and the use thereof as an additive in coating compositions and plastics.

The invention relates to polymers obtainable from oxetane-based macromonomers, to a process for preparation thereof and to the use thereof as additives in coating compositions and plastics.

STATE OF THE ART

Macromonomers are oligomers or polymers with at least one functional end group through which polymerization reactions can proceed. Macromonomers are thus macromolecular monomers which can be converted to homo- or copolymers of defined structures. For example, macromonomers can be reacted with an ethylenically unsaturated end group by free-radical polymerization to give graft copolymers or comb polymers with a defined length of the side chains.

WO 02/40572 A1 describes a process for preparing dendritic polyethers with a core which originates from a compound having two or more hydroxyl groups, and at least one branching generation obtainable from at least one hydroxyoxetane. The core of the dendritic polyether may contain one or more allyl groups. No further reaction of the dendritic polyethers is described.

WO 00/56802 A1 describes the synthesis of hyperbranched dendritic polyethers obtainable by thermally initiated catalytic ring-opening of oxetane monomers having at least two functional groups. The terminal hydroxyl groups of the hyperbranched dendritic polyethers obtained can then be converted further, for example by functionalization with epoxide, allyl or acrylate groups. However, it is not possible by this method to obtain defined polyethers each containing only one free-radically polymerizable group per molecule.

The free-radical polymerization of those macromonomers which contain a plurality of free-radically polymerizable groups per molecule involves the risk of unwanted crosslinking reactions.

PROBLEM

The problem addressed by the present invention was that of providing novel homo- and/or copolymers and a process for preparation thereof, said homo- and/or copolymers being obtainable from oxetane-based macromonomers and optionally further comonomers and being suitable for use as additives in coating compositions and/or plastics. The preparation process should therefore afford homo- or copolymers with very well-defined structure and a minimum level of by-products.

Through the use of the novel homo- and/or copolymers as additives, it shall be possible to alter the properties of the coating compositions or coatings and/or plastics in a controlled manner.

-   -   For example, it shall be possible to obtain additives which are         suitable as flow control agents and can improve, for example,         the leveling, gloss and/or opalescence of the coating         compositions or coatings or plastics.     -   For example, it shall be possible to obtain additives which         impart a non-stick surface to the coating compositions or         coatings and/or the plastics, such that, for example, dirt-,         water- and/or oil-repellent surfaces can be achieved.     -   For example, it shall be possible to obtain additives which are         suitable as wetting agents and dispersants and, for example, can         lower the viscosity of pigmented and/or filler-containing         coating compositions and/or stabilize the dispersion of pigments         and/or fillers in coating compositions.     -   For example, it shall be possible to obtain additives which         impart improved wettability to the coating compositions or         coatings and/or the plastics, such that, for example, more         easily printable surfaces are achieved and/or the adhesion of         coatings is improved. Many coatings, polymeric molding         compositions and thermoplastics have a nonpolar surface with low         surface energy. It is therefore a challenge to wet such         surfaces, for example by means of aqueous coating compositions,         printing inks, aqueous polymer dispersions, adhesives or         adhesion promoters. In order to improve the wettability of such         substrate surfaces by means of polar (for example aqueous)         coating compositions, the surface energy of the substrates must         be increased by the use of additives, such that the substrate         surfaces are rendered more polar. For this reason, there is a         need to develop corresponding additives for improving         wettability and hence, for example, the printability or         paintability of various coatings, polymeric molding compositions         and thermoplastics. It is therefore an aim of the present         invention to provide an additive which can increase the surface         energy of coatings, polymer molding compositions or         thermoplastics.

Furthermore, the additives added to impart these improved properties shall as far as possible not impair the other properties of the coating compositions or coatings, polymeric molding compositions or thermoplastics. The additives added shall also be able to display their efficacy in relatively small amounts. The coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics shall also virtually maintain their improved surface properties over a long period of several years, even under outdoor weathering. This should also include the permanence of the effects, for example of the non-stick and/or dirt-repellent effect, over several cleaning cycles.

In addition, coating compositions or coatings and plastics (i.e. polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics) which have such improved properties shall be provided.

SOLUTION

These problems are surprisingly solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Particular embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The invention provides a polymer obtainable by free-radical polymerization of one or more macromonomers and optionally one or more further free-radically polymerizable comonomers, wherein the macromonomer(s) is/are obtainable by reacting at least one hydroxyoxetane of the formula (I)

in which R¹ is alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, R² is hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, and R³ is in each case independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, with a starter molecule U-L-X—H in which U=an ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group, L=divalent organic radical without free-radically polymerizable groups, and X—H=group which cannot be polymerized free-radically and has an active hydrogen atom H, in a molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s) of the formula (I):starter molecule) of (100:1) to (1:1) in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst in a cationic ring-opening polymerization.

The invention further provides a process for preparing a polymer, wherein one or more macromonomers obtainable by reacting at least one hydroxyoxetane of the formula (I)

in which R¹ is alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, R² is hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, and R³ is in each case independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, with a starter molecule U-L-X—H in which U=an ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group, L=divalent organic radical without free-radically polymerizable groups, and X—H=group which cannot be polymerized free-radically and has an active hydrogen atom H, in a molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s) of the formula (I):starter molecule) of (100:1) to (1:1) in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst in a cationic ring-opening polymerization, and optionally one or more further, free-radically polymerizable comonomers are free-radically polymerized.

The invention further provides for the use of the inventive polymers as additives in coating compositions and plastics.

The invention further provides coating compositions and plastics which comprise an inventive polymer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Macromonomers

It is essential to the invention that the oxetane-based macromonomers used in the process according to the invention each contain one free-radically polymerizable head group per molecule. This makes it possible to obtain polymers with defined comb structure in a free-radical homo- or copolymerization.

Hydroxyoxetanes

To prepare the macromonomers, at least one hydroxyoxetane of the formula (I)

in which R¹ is alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, R² is hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, and R³ is in each case independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, is reacted with a starter molecule as described above.

Preferably, the at least one hydroxyoxetane of the formula (I) is

a 3-alkyl-3-(hydroxyalkyl)oxetane [i.e. R¹=alkyl, R²=hydroxyalkyl, all R³=H], a 3,3-di(hydroxyalkyl)oxetane [i.e. R¹, R²=hydroxyalkyl, all R³=J], a 3-alkyl-3-(hydroxyalkoxy)oxetane [i.e. R¹=alkyl, R²=hydroxyalkoxy, all R³=H], a 3-alkyl-3-(hydroxyalkoxyalkyl)oxetane [i.e. R¹=alkyl, R²=hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, all R³=H], or a mixture of these hydroxyoxetanes, more preferably a 3-alkyl-3-(hydroxyalkyl)oxetane [i.e. R¹=alkyl, R²=hydroxyalkyl, all R³=H] and/or a 3-alkyl-3-(hydroxyalkoxy)oxetane [i.e. R¹=alkyl, R²=hydroxyalkoxy, all R³=H].

The expression “alkyl” here preferably represents linear or branched alkyl radicals having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example having 1 to 12 or having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. More preferably, the expression “alkyl” represents methyl or ethyl.

The expression “alkoxy” here preferably represents methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, phenylethoxy, more preferably ethoxy and/or propoxy, and comprises up to 20 alkoxy units or a combination of two or more alkoxy units which may be arranged randomly, in blocks or in the manner of a gradient.

Examples of particularly suitable hydroxyoxetanes are

3-methyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane [i.e. R¹=methyl, R²=hydroxymethyl, all R³=H], 3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane [i.e. R¹=ethyl, R²=hydroxymethyl, all R³=H], (=trimethylolpropane oxetane), and the derivatives thereof which have been ethoxylated and/or propoxylated on the hydroxyl group and have 1-20 ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide units which may be arranged randomly, in blocks or in the manner of a gradient, 3,3-di(hydroxymethyl)oxetane [i.e. R¹=R²=hydroxymethyl, all R³=H], or a mixture of these hydroxyoxetanes.

Particular preference is given to using 3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane (=trimethylolpropane oxetane, TMPO) and/or the derivatives thereof which have been ethoxylated and/or propoxylated on the hydroxyl group and have 1-20 ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide units which may be arranged randomly, in blocks or in the manner of a gradient.

One advantage of the use of the macromonomers prepared on the basis of ethoxylated TMPO as compared with linear polyethylene glycol methacrylates is that the polymers obtainable thereby, given the same molar mass, have a lower melting point (lower crystallinity) and lower viscosity.

The hydroxyl group(s) of the hydroxyoxetane may be present in free form or protected by suitable protecting groups. Protecting groups are understood to mean readily cleavable groups, for example acetals.

The hydroxyl group(s) of the hydroxyoxetane can also be used for further derivatizations. For example, the hydroxyl groups of the hydroxyoxetane can be alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or styrene oxide. It is also possible to use mixtures of the alkylene oxides. The hydroxyoxetanes are preferably ethoxylated and/or propoxylated prior to the ring-opening polymerization. In addition, it is possible, for example, to introduce further side chains by the reaction of the hydroxyl groups with isocyanates to form urethanes. For example, it is possible to introduce polyethylene oxide (EO), polypropylene oxide (PO) or mixed EO-PO side chains (EO/PO herein as a random polymer, block polymer or gradient polymer) as grafted side chains by reacting the corresponding TDI (tolylene diisocyanate) monoadducts of the polyalkylene oxide(s) with the hydroxyl groups of the hydroxyoxetane. Further possible derivatizations of the hydroxyl groups of the hydroxyoxetane are, for example, Williamson ether synthesis, reactions with acidic anhydrides or carboxymethylation. All known derivatizations are possible in principle, provided that they do not have any adverse effect on the later cationic ring-opening polymerization of the hydroxyoxetanes or on the free-radical polymerization of the unsaturated head groups of the oxetane-based macromonomers which form in the case of use thereof. A derivatization of the hydroxyoxetanes can influence the properties of the oxetane-based macromonomers, such that, in the case of use of the macromonomers to prepare the inventive polymers, it is also possible to influence the properties of the polymers, for example with regard to compatibility with different coating compositions and plastics.

Starter Molecules U-L-X—H

The starter molecule U-L-X—H contains an ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group U. The head group U is advantageously readily free-radically polymerizable. The head group U is therefore preferably not an allyl group [H₂C═CH—CH₂—], since allyl groups have only a comparatively low tendency to free-radical polymerization. More preferably, the ethylenically unsaturated head group is U=acryloyl [H₂C═CH—C(═O)—] or methacryloyl [H₂C═C(CH₃)—C(═O)—].

The divalent organic L radical does not contain any free-radically polymerizable groups. Free-radically polymerizable groups are understood to mean functional groups which can be free-radically polymerized under conditions customary therefor, for example ethylenically unsaturated groups. The L radical may, for example, be an alkylene, arylene or polyalkylene oxide radical.

Preferably, the divalent organic L radical has the structure —O-L′ where —O— is an oxygen atom and L′ is selected from the group consisting of alkylene radicals and polyalkylene oxide radicals.

More preferably, the divalent organic L radical has the structure —O-L′ where —O— is an oxygen atom and L′ is selected from the group consisting of alkylene radicals having 2-5 carbon atoms, polyethylene oxide radicals having 2-5 ethylene oxide units, polypropylene oxide radicals having 2-5 propylene oxide units and mixed polyethylene/polypropylene radicals having 2-5 alkylene oxide units.

Most preferably, the divalent organic L radical has the structure —O-L′ where —O— is an oxygen atom and L′ is an alkylene radical having 2-5 carbon atoms.

The X—H group is a functional group which cannot be polymerized free-radically and has an active hydrogen atom H. An active hydrogen atom is understood to mean a hydrogen atom which can initiate the cationic ring-opening polymerization of oxetanes under acidic catalysis, for example with a Lewis acid (e.g. AlCl₃, BF₃, TiCl₄, ZnI₂, SiF₄, SbF₅, PF₅, AsF₅ or SbCl₅) or, for example, with a halogenated acid (e.g. FSO₃H, CISO₃H, HClO₄, HlO₄ or CF₃SO₃H), or another Brønsted acid (e.g. paratoluenesulfonic acid, sulfonic acid) at 30° C. to 130° C. The X—H group may, for example, be an N—H group, an S—H group or an O—H group. The X—H group is preferably a hydroxyl group O—H or a thiol group S—H, since higher yields can generally be achieved as a result. The X—H group is more preferably a hydroxyl group O—H.

The starter molecule U-L-X—H is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl esters of methacrylic acid [H₂O═C(CH₃)—C(═O)—O—(CH₂)_(a)—OH] and polyethylene oxide esters of methacrylic acid [H₂C═C(CH₃)—C(═O)—O—(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(a)—H] where a=1-20, preferably a=1-10 and more preferably a=2-5.

The starter molecule U-L-X—H is most preferably hydroxyethyl methacrylate or hydroxybutyl methacrylate.

Preparation of the Oxetane-Based Macromonomers

The oxetane-based macromonomers are obtainable by a preparation process in which at least one hydroxyoxetane of the formula (I)

in which R¹ is alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, R² is hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, and R³ is in each case independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, is reacted with a starter molecule U-L-X—H in which U=an ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group, L=divalent organic radical without free-radically polymerizable groups, and X—H=group which cannot be polymerized free-radically and has an active hydrogen atom H, in a molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s) of the formula (I):starter molecule) of (100:1) to (1:1) in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst in a cationic ring-opening polymerization.

Preferably, the molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s) of the formula (I):starter molecule) is from (50:1) to (2:1), more preferably from (25:1) to (3:1).

It is essential to the invention that the oxetane-based macromonomers each contain one free-radically polymerizable group as a head group per molecule. This makes it possible to obtain polymers with defined comb structure in a subsequent free-radical homo- or copolymerization of the macromonomers. As is well known, however, by-products regularly occur in chemical syntheses. In the synthesis of the macromonomers, it is therefore also possible for small proportions of macromonomers having two or more free-radically polymerizable groups and small proportions of products without a free-radically polymerizable group to be obtained. By virtue of the preparation process described, the proportions of such by-products can, however, be kept very low. The macromonomers therefore preferably have only very small, and more preferably do not have any, proportions of molecules having none or more than one free-radically polymerizable group.

The macromonomers are prepared by cationic oxetane ring-opening polymerization of the hydroxyoxetanes with the starter molecule at about 30° C. to 130° C., preferably at about 50° C. to 110° C., in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst.

Suitable catalysts for the cationic oxetane ring-opening polymerization are, for example, Lewis acids, such as especially AlCl₃, BF₃, TiCl₄, ZnI₂, SiF₄, SbF₅, PF₅, AsF₅ or SbCl₅, and, for example, halogenated acids, such as especially FSO₃H, CISO₃H, HClO_(t), HlO₄ or CF₃SO₃H, and further Brønsted acids (e.g. paratoluenesulfonic acid, sulfonic acid). The catalysts used may also be onium salts, for example a sulfonium, oxonium and/or iodonium salt. Examples of such compounds are benzyltetramethylenesulfonium hexafluoroantimonate, benzyltetramethylenesulfonium hexafluorophosphate and benzyltetramethylene-sulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate. The catalyst used is preferably CF₃SO₃H (trifluoromethanesulfonic acid), since the ethylenically unsaturated head groups of the starter molecule U-L-X—H are as far as possible not to be impaired during the cationic oxetane ring-opening polymerization, and more particularly are not to be polymerized prematurely, but rather the unsaturated groups are to be very substantially preserved. This is facilitated by the use of a gentle catalyst in this respect for the cationic polymerization, for example trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.

The macromonomers are preferably prepared in the presence of an inhibitor of free-radical polymerization. Suitable inhibitors of free-radical polymerization are, for example, hydroquinone or hydroquinone monomethyl ether. The inhibitor of the free-radical polymerization is used to scavenge free radicals which could possibly form during the storage or in the course of thermally promoted cationic ring-opening polymerization of the oxetane monomers, such that the stability of the ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group U of the starter molecule is ensured. One advantage in the case of use of an inhibitor of free-radical polymerization is thus that the conduct of the reaction is facilitated and a lower level of by-products is obtained.

Preferably, the hydroxyoxetane(s) is/are added gradually to the preheated reaction mixture comprising the starter molecule U-L-X—H and the at least one acidic catalyst, and preferably also the at least one inhibitor of free-radical polymerization. The gradual addition of the hydroxyoxetane(s) allows better-defined products to be obtained.

It is possible to use solvents. However, these must not affect the cationic oxetane ring-opening polymerization. Suitable solvents are, for example, those which do not contain any active hydrogen atoms, any polymerizable rings or any groups which could react with the hydroxyoxetane (especially with the hydroxyl groups of the hydroxyoxetane), with the starter molecule or with the oxetane-based macromonomer. Preferably, it is possible to use aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic solvents, ketones and blocked polyethers as solvents. The choice of the solvent is also guided by the later end use of the inventive polymer to be synthesized subsequently from the macromonomers. Preference is given to using low-boiling solvents in order to facilitate the distillative removal in those applications in which the polymers obtained later are to be used as a 100% formulation, for example in the case of UV-curing paint systems.

At the end of the reaction, the product is cooled and neutralized by addition of a base or by treatment with a basic ion exchange resin. Any residual amounts of starter molecule, if they are disruptive in the subsequent free-radical polymerization, can be removed by suitable distillation measures, for example by thin-film evaporation,

The performance of the cationic ring-opening polymerization of the hydroxyoxetanes with the starter molecule U-L-X—H is facilitated by the selection of particular starter molecules U-L-X—H. In general, the reaction can be conducted particularly efficiently with starter molecules from the group of the esters of (meth)acrylic acid. In contrast, the conduct of the reaction can be somewhat more difficult, for example, in the case of use of corresponding amides or of vinylbenzyl alcohols or fumaric acid derivatives as starter molecules.

The oxetane-based macromonomer can be modified further by polymer-analogous reactions prior to the free-radical polymerization which follows later. For example, all or some of the free hydroxyl groups can be esterified, for example with acetic acid. Esterification may be useful, for example, to avoid intermediate layer adhesion problems in paint systems when the polymers are used, or to alter the polarity of the polymer. All or some of the free hydroxyl groups in the macromonomer(s) can be reacted with isocyanates, for example with alkyl isocyanates. A modification with relatively long-chain alkyl isocyanates, for example stearyl isocyanate, prior to the free-radical polymerization can alter the polarity of the polymer in the direction of hydrophobicity such that use of the polymers in nonpolar thermoplastics is facilitated. In contrast, an increase in hydrophilicity and possibly improved water solubility are achieved by reacting all or some of the free hydroxyl groups of the macromonomer(s), prior to the free-radical polymerization, with hydrophilic compounds, for example with TDI monoadducts. Suitable examples are monoadducts which from the reaction of tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) with methanol-started polyethylene glycol. By means of appropriate mixtures of hydrophilic and hydrophobic modifications of the macromonomers prior to the free-radical polymerization, it is also possible to prepare amphiphilic polymer structures.

Polymers

The inventive polymers are obtainable from the macromonomers and optionally further comonomers by free-radically polymerizing one or more of the macromonomers obtainable by reaction of at least one hydroxyoxetane of the formula (I)

in which R¹ is alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, R² is hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, and R³ is in each case independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, with a starter molecule U-L-X—H in which U=an ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group other than allyl [H₂C═CH—CH₂—], L=divalent organic radical without free-radically polymerizable groups, and X—H=group which cannot be polymerized free-radically and has an active hydrogen atom H, in a molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s) of the formula (I):starter molecule) of (100:1) to (1:1) in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst in a cationic ring-opening polymerization, and optionally one or more further, free-radically polymerizable comonomers are free-radically polymerized.

To prepare the inventive polymers, one or more different macromonomers can be free-radically homo- or copolymerized. Among the macromonomers, the inventive polymers are preferably prepared using those macromonomers which are obtained according to the above-described preferred embodiments of the macromonomers.

In addition to the above-described macromonomer(s), it is possible to polymerize one or more different free-radically polymerizable comonomers. Preference is given to using at least one such comonomer. Free-radically polymerizable comonomers are understood to mean those compounds which bear at least one free-radically polymerizable group. Free-radically polymerizable groups are understood to mean functional groups which can be free-radically polymerized under conditions customary therefor, for example ethylenically unsaturated groups. This ethylenically unsaturated group is preferably selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted acryloyl, methacryloyl, acrylamido, methacrylamido, acrylamidoalkyl, methacrylamidoalkyl, styryl, alpha-methylstyryl, allyl, vinylbenzyl, vinyl ether, vinyl ester and vinyl ketone groups; especially when the macromonomers used bear acryloyl, methacryloyl or styrene groups as the head group U.

Examples of suitable comonomers are alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates of straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic alcohols having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, aralkyl acrylates and aralkyl methacrylates of aralkyl alcohols having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates of straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic dials having 2 to 36 carbon atoms, alkyl(meth)acrylamides of straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic amines having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, aminoalkyl (meth)acrylates of straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic amino alcohols having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alkoxylated (meth)acrylates (for example polyethylene oxide (meth)acrylates, polypropylene oxide (meth)acrylates, polyethylene glycol-polypropylene oxide (meth)acrylates, polyester-modified (meth)acrylates (for example caprolactone-modified (meth)acrylates, obtainable, for example, from Daicel, Japan), (meth)acrylonitriles, vinyl alkanoates, alkenes and arylalkenes having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, styrenes and substituted styrenes, alpha-methylstyrenes and substituted alpha-methylstyrenes, alkyl vinyl ethers, perfluoroalkyl (meth)acrylates and corresponding partially fluorinated (meth)acrylates, perfluoroalkyl block polyether (meth)acrylates, perfluoroalkylethylthiocarbonylaminoethyl (meth)acrylates, perfluoro-olefins, (meth)acryloyloxyalkylsiloxanes, (meth)acryloyloxyalkylpolysiloxanes, (meth)acryloyloxypolyetheralkylpolysiloxanes, N-vinylcarbazoles, fluorinated and fluorine-free alkyl esters of maleic acid, of fumaric acid, of itaconic acid and of mesaconic acid (methylfumaric acid), (meth)acrylamide, (meth)acrylamides, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, hydroxy-functional alkyl (meth)acrylamides, hydroxy-functional alkyl vinyl ethers, sodium vinysulfonate, sodium styrenesulfonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, N-vinylpyrrole, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-vinyloxazolidine, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, 1-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-2-imidazolidinone, aminoalkyl (meth)acrylates, for example N,N-dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate and N,N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, N-alkyl- and N,N-dialkyl-substituted acrylamides having straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic alkyl groups having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, for example N-(t-butyl)acrylamide and N,N-dimethylacrylamide; ionic monomers, allyl alcohol, alkoxylated allyl alcohol derivatives (for example ethoxylated allyl alcohol, propoxylated allyl alcohol and mixed-alkoxylation allyl alcohol containing proportions of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide) and polyester-modified (for example by means of caprolactone) derivatives based on allyl alcohol.

Preference is given to using comonomers such as polydimethylsiloxane mono(meth)acrylates, for example linear (meth)acryloyloxyalkylpolydimethylsiloxanes (e.g. α-butyldimethylsiloxy-ω-(3-methacryloyloxypropyl)polydimethylsiloxane or α-butyldimethylsiloxy-ω-(3-acryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxypropyl)polydimethyl-siloxane), branched (meth)acryloyloxyalkylpolydimethylsiloxanes (e.g. meth-acryloyloxypropyl-terminated, branched polydimethylsiloxanes such as (methacryloyloxypropyl)methylsiloxane-polydimethylsiloxane copolymers or methacryloyloxypropylpolydimethylsiloxanes of T-shaped structure), (meth)acrylpolyetheralkylpolydimethylsiloxanes (e.g. α-butyldimethylsiloxy-ω-(3-methacryloyloxy(polyethylene oxide)propyl)polydimethylsiloxane) or polydimethyl-siloxanemonoalkenes, more preferably polydimethylsiloxane mono(meth)acrylates. This gives copolymers which, as additives, can be used to good effect for reducing the surface tension in coating compositions and plastics or for obtaining scratch-resistant surfaces with a long-lasting antifingerprint effect and dirt-repellent properties.

Preference is given to using fluorinated comonomers. This gives copolymers which, as additives, have especially good usability as flow control agents, for reducing the surface tension in coating compositions and plastics or for obtaining dirt-repellent surfaces.

Preference is given to using esters of (meth)acrylic acid with alkanols, for example with C1-C14-monohydroxyalkanes, as comonomers. This gives copolymers which, as additives, have especially good usability for improving the levelling, gloss and/or opalescence of the coating compositions or coatings or plastics. It is possible to use, for example, n-butyl acrylate, i-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, tetradecyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, i-butyl methacrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, tetradecyl methacrylate and/or isobornyl methacrylate. Further preferred monomers are hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxybutyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate, styrene, ethyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, hydroxybutyl vinyl ether, methacrylic acid and acrylic acid.

For the preparation of wetting agents and dispersants, adhesion promoters and emulsifiers, the following comonomers are also preferred: maleic anhydride, polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate, polypropylene glycol monomethacrylate, N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, vinylimidazole.

It is also possible with preference to use mixtures of the abovementioned preferred comonomers and mixtures of these comonomers with other comonomers.

The notation “(meth)acrylate” encompasses both acrylates and methacrylates.

Ionic groups can be introduced into the polymer as a corresponding ionic, ethylenically unsaturated monomer or be subsequently obtained by polymer-analogous reactions, for example salt formation or quaternization of tertiary amino compounds.

For example, it is possible to react acid functions in the polymer, for example carboxylic acids and phosphoric esters, with bases. It is also possible, proceeding from acid anhydrides such as maleic anhydride, firstly to generate the carboxylic acid function by hydrolysis with water or formation of a monoester or partial ester with monohydric alcohols or polyethers and then to react this with bases.

Oxirane structures in the polymer can be reacted with nucleophiles such as o-phosphoric acid and subsequent salt formation by means of bases to give ionic groups.

Hydroxy functions in the polymer can be reacted with polyphosphoric acid to form phosphoric esters and subsequent salt formation by means of bases to give ionic groups.

Suitable bases are, for example, amines, for example dimethylaminoethanol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, 2-(dimethylamino)propan-1-ol, triethylamine, butylamine and dibutylamine, hydroxides, oxides, carbonates and hydrogencarbonates of metals of the 1st to 3rd main groups of the Periodic Table of the Elements, for example sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide and sodium hydrogencarbonate.

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,054, it is also possible to convert amines bound to the polymer to salts with carboxylic acids or phosphoric acids and esters thereof.

In addition, amines can be converted to quaternary ammonium salts in alkylation reactions with alkyl halides, for example benzyl chloride, or with a combination of oxirane with carboxylic acid.

Tertiary amines can be converted with oxygen, peroxo compounds such as percarboxylic acids and hydrogen peroxide to amine oxides, which can additionally be converted to salts with acids such as hydrochloric acid.

Examples of ionic, ethylenically unsaturated monomers can be taken from the following list, the notation “(meth)acrylate” including both acrylates and methacrylates: salts of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic acid; quaternary aminoalkyl (meth)acrylates such as 2-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride and 2-benzyldimethylammonioethyl (meth)acrylate chloride; salts of monomers containing phosphoric acid, for example sodium tripropylene glycol methacrylate phosphate.

Self-crosslinking polymers can be prepared in a controlled manner by, for example, the use of epoxy-functional comonomers, e.g. glycidyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate, or by means of silane-functional comonomers.

The polymers may be homopolymers or copolymers. The polymers are preferably copolymers.

If one or more comonomers are also used in the free-radical polymerization of the oxetane-based macromonomer(s), the proportion of units of the oxetane-based macromonomer(s) in the copolymer formed is preferably 1 to 60 mol %, more preferably 2 to 30 mol % and most preferably 2 to 15 mol % of macromonomer units, based in each case on the overall copolymer.

The inventive polymers can be prepared by free-radical polymerization in a manner known to those skilled in the art in organic solvents or in bulk, in the presence of free-radical initiators such as peroxides or azo compounds. Useful solvents include especially esters, for example ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate or 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, and aromatic solvents, for example toluene or xylene, and ketones, for example methyl isobutyl ketone or methyl ethyl ketone. The choice of solvent is also guided by the later end use of the polymer. Preference is given to using low-boiling solvents in order to facilitate the distillative removal of the solvents in the case of applications in which the polymers are to be used as a 100% product, for example in UV-curing coating systems or in polymers.

The free-radical polymerization is performed at temperatures of approx. 40° C. to 180° C., preferably 60° C. to 150° C., more preferably 80° C. to 130° C.

The free-radical polymerization can be performed as a continuous or batchwise process.

The free-radical polymerization can be performed, for example, as a bulk polymerization, as a solution polymerization, as a precipitation polymerization, as an emulsion polymerization or as a suspension polymerization.

The free-radical polymerization can be performed as an uncontrolled free-radical polymerization or as a controlled free-radical polymerization.

Methods of controlled free-radical polymerization make it possible to achieve better-defined polymer architectures having a narrower molecular weight distribution. It is possible to use the methods known to those skilled in the art for controlled free-radical polymerization, for example ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization), GTP (group transfer polymerization), NMP (nitroxide mediated polymerization), RAFT (reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer process) or MADIX (macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates).

Controlled polymerization processes include, in particular, the “reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer process” (RAFT), which, in the case of use of particular polymerization regulators, is also referred to as “MADIX” (macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates) and “addition fragmentation chain transfer”. RAFT is described, for example, in Polym. Int. 2000, 49, 993, Aust. J. Chem 2005, 58, 379, J. Polym. Sci. Part A; Polym. Chem. 2005, 43, 5347, Chem, Lett. 1993, 22, 1089, J. Polym. Sci., Part A 1989, 27, 1741 and 1991, 29, 1053 and 1993, 31, 1551 and 1994, 32, 2745 and 1996, 34, 95 and 2003, 41, 645 and 2004, 42, 597 and 2004, 42, 6021, and also in Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2003, 24, 197 and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,620, WO 98/01478, WO 98/58974 and WO 99/31144.

A further process for controlled polymerization makes use of nitroxyl compounds as polymerization regulators (NMP) and is disclosed, for example, in Chem. Rev, 2001, 101, 3661.

Another controlled polymerization process is “group transfer polymerization” (GTP), as disclosed, for example, by O. W. Webster in “Group Transfer Polymerization”, in “Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering”, Volume 7, H. F. Mark, N. M. Bikales, C. G. Overberger and G. Menges, Eds., Wiley Interscience, New York 1987, page 580 ff., and in O. W. Webster, Adv. Polym. Sci. 2004, 167, 1-34.

Controlled free-radical polymerization using tetraphenylethane, as described, for example, in Macromol. Symp. 1996, 111, 63, is a further example of controlled polymerization.

Controlled free-radical polymerization using 1,1-diphenylethene as polymerization regulator is described, for example, in Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2001, 22, 700.

Controlled free-radical polymerization using iniferters is disclosed, for example, in Makromol. Chem. Rapid. Commun. 1982, 3, 127.

Controlled free-radical polymerization using organocobalt complexes is known, for example, from J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 7973, from Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry, Vol. 38, 1753-1766 (2000), from Chem. Rev. 2001, 101, 3611-3659 and from Macromolecules 2006, 39, 8219-8222.

A further controlled polymerization technique is degenerative chain transfer using iodine compounds as described, for example, in Macromolecules 2008, 41, 6261 or in U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,085.

Controlled free-radical polymerization in the presence of thioketones is described, for example, in Chem. Commun., 2006, 835-837 and in Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2007, 28, 746-753.

The polymer may be a homopolymer or a copolymer. Copolymers can be random copolymers, block copolymers or gradient copolymers and may be made up of two or more, hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic monomers.

The number-average molecular weight of the polymers is in the range from 1500 to 200 000, preferably 5000 to 75 000, more preferably in the range from 7500 to 50 000. The number-average molecular weight of the polymers is determined by gel permeation chromatography with tetrahydrofuran as the eluent and using polystyrene standards.

To influence the number-average molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution of the polymers, it is possible to use suitable control or chain transfer reagents. Examples include thiols such as n-octyl mercaptan, n-dodecyl mercaptan or t-dodecyl mercaptan and dimers of alpha-methylstyrene. For example, it is possible also to use small amounts of difunctional monomers (e.g. hexanediol diacrylate) in the polymerization in order to increase the molecular weight in a controlled manner.

The polymers can subsequently be modified by means of polymer-analogous reactions. For example, subsequent reaction with maleic anhydride enables a reactive double bond and an acid function to be incorporated. This acid function can also, for example, be converted to a salt by means of triethanolamine to improve solubility in water. Furthermore, subsequent transesterification (chemical or enzymatic transesterification) with hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylates makes it possible to obtain products which can be incorporated in a fixed manner into surface coating systems even in radiation-curing processes such as UV and electron beam curing. It is also possible to esterify free OH groups by, for example, subsequent reaction with acetic anhydride in order to be able to avoid potential intermediate layer adhesion problems when the polymers are employed as flow control agents in surface coatings.

Use of the Polymers as Additives

The inventive polymers can be used, for example, as additives in coating compositions or plastics. Plastics are understood to mean polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics.

The polymers can be used, for example, as flow control agents in coating compositions in order to improve, for example, the optical properties of the resulting coating. The use of polymers as flow control agents enables improvement, for example, in the levelling, the gloss and/or the opalescence of the coating compositions or coatings or plastics.

The polymers can also be used, for example, to alter the surface properties of coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics. The addition of the polymers can influence the surface energy of coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics. The surface can be made more hydrophilic or else more hydrophobic, such that adhesion to this surface is improved or else is prevented, which makes it possible to obtain dirt-repellent, easy-to-clean surfaces. In general, an increase in the surface energy achieves more hydrophilic surfaces which can be wetted more easily and offer better adhesion conditions. On the other hand, a reduction in the surface energy generally gives more hydrophobic surfaces which are more difficult to wet and have dirt-repellent, non-stick properties. Polymers which are suitable for increasing the surface energy can be obtained, for example, by polymerization of comparatively hydrophilic macromonomers (for example based on ethoxylated TMPO) or by copolymerization with rather hydrophilic comonomers (for example hydrophilic acrylates such as polyethylene oxide (meth)acrylates or (meth)acrylic acid). Polymers which are suitable for reducing the surface energy can be obtained, for example, by polymerization of comparatively hydrophobic macromonomers (for example based on TMPO or propoxylated TMPO) or by copolymerization with rather hydrophobic or particularly suitable comonomers, for example comonomers containing perfluoro groups and/or polysiloxane groups.

Additives for Achieving Dirt-Repellent, Non-Stick Surfaces

The copolymers which can be added to coating compositions, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics and whose addition makes it possible to achieve dirt-repellent, easy-to-clean, non-stick surfaces can be prepared, for example, via the polymerization of at least one macromonomer or copolymerization of at least one macromonomer and at least one comonomer, for example a comonomer containing perfluoro groups and/or polysiloxane groups.

Coating compositions, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics to which appropriate copolymers are added have excellent non-stick and dirt-repellent properties. The copolymers also do not have any significant adverse effect on the other properties of the coating compositions or coatings, polymeric molding compositions or thermoplastics. These copolymers can be added in relatively small amounts (additive amounts) to the coating compositions, polymeric molding compositions or thermoplastics. Particularly in coating compositions and plastics such as polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics, the polymers can preferably also be used in relatively small amounts of 0.01 to 5% by weight, preferably of 0.05 to 2% by weight and more preferably of 0.1 to 1% by weight, based in each case on the overall coating composition or the overall plastic.

The physical properties of the original coating compositions or coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics, for example in respect of corrosion protection, maintenance of gloss and weathering resistance, are not adversely affected by the small concentrations of the additive. Coating compositions or coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics containing the copolymers generally exhibit the desired properties over a period of many years and retain these properties even over many cleaning cycles.

Furthermore, it has been found to be particularly advantageous that the hydroxyl groups of the oxetane-based macromonomer units in the inventive polymers can crosslink with reactive groups of the binder and thus ensure a permanent effect.

The use of the polymers as additives in coating compositions, polymeric molding compositions or thermoplastics also makes it possible to obtain surfaces having antistatic properties or antifogging properties.

Additives for Achieving Readily Wettable Surfaces

The copolymers can be added to coating compositions, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics, such that the addition thereof increases the surface energy of the coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics, such that the wettability of these surfaces is improved.

Coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics to which appropriate copolymers are added have highly wettable surfaces. The wettability can be determined by determining the contact angle of the surface towards water by the customary methods. For hydrophilic surfaces, the contact angle should be <60°. The copolymers also do not have any significant adverse effect on the other properties of the coating compositions or coatings, polymeric molding compositions or thermoplastics. These copolymers can be added in relatively small amounts (additive amounts) to the coating compositions, polymeric molding compositions or thermoplastics, preferably in amounts of 0.01 to 5% by weight, preferably of 0.05 to 2% by weight and more preferably of 0.1 to 1% by weight, based in each case on the overall coating composition or the overall plastic. The physical properties of the original coating compositions or coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics, for example in respect of corrosion protection, maintenance of gloss and weathering resistance, are not adversely affected by the small concentrations of the additive. Coating compositions or coatings, polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics containing the copolymers generally exhibit the desired properties over a period of many years and retain these properties even over many cleaning cycles.

Furthermore, it has been found to be particularly advantageous that the hydroxyl groups of the oxetane-based macromonomer units in the polymers can crosslink with reactive groups of the binder and thus ensure a permanent effect.

Wetting Agents and Dispersants

The polymers can also be used as dispersants in the fields of use for dispersants which are known from the prior art, the polymers being usable as dispersants instead of or in combination with the dispersants known from the prior art. For example, they can be used in the production or processing of surface coatings, printing inks, paper coatings, leather and textile colorants, pastes, pigment concentrates, ceramics or cosmetic preparations, particularly when they contain solids such as pigments and/or fillers. They can also be used in the production or processing of casting and/or molding compositions based on synthetic, semisynthetic or natural macromolecular substances, for example polyvinyl chloride, saturated or unsaturated polyesters, polyurethanes, polystyrene, polyacrylate, polyamide, epoxy resins, polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene. For example, the copolymers can be used for producing casting compositions, PVC plastisols, gel coats, polymer concrete, circuit boards, industrial surface coatings, surface coatings for wood and furniture, vehicle paint systems, ship paints, corrosion protection paints, can and coil coatings, trade paints and masonry paints, with mixing of binders and/or solvents, pigments and if appropriate fillers, the comb copolymers and customary additives. Examples of customary binders are resins based on polyurethane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetobutyrate, alkyd, melamine, polyester, chloro rubber, epoxide and acrylate. Examples of water-based coatings are cathodic or anodic electrophoretic coatings, for example for automobile bodies. Further examples are plasters and renders, silicate paints, emulsion paints, water-based paints based on water-dilutable alkyds, alkyd emulsions, hybrid systems, two-component systems, polyurethane dispersions and acrylate dispersions.

The copolymers are also particularly suitable as dispersants for producing concentrates of solids, for example pigment concentrates. For this purpose, the copolymers are, for example, initially charged in a carrier medium such as an organic solvent, plasticizer and/or water, and the solids to be dispersed are added while stirring. These concentrates may additionally contain binders and/or other auxiliaries. With the copolymers, however, it is especially possible to produce stable binder-free pigment concentrates. It is likewise possible to use the polymers to produce flowable solids concentrates from pigment presscakes. This is done by mixing the copolymers into the presscake, which can still contain organic solvents, plasticizers and/or water, and dispersing the mixture obtained in this way. The solids concentrates produced in various ways can then be incorporated into various substrates, for example alkyd resins, polyester resins, acrylate resins, polyurethane resins or epoxy resins. However, pigments can also be dispersed directly into the copolymers in the absence of solvents and are then particularly suitable for pigmenting thermoplastic and thermoset polymer formulations.

The copolymers can also be used advantageously in the production of inks for “non-impact” printing processes such as “thermal inkjet” and the “bubblejet process”. These inks may, for example, be aqueous ink formulations, solvent-based ink formulations, solvent-free or low-solvent inks for UV applications, or else wax-like inks.

The copolymers can also be used advantageously in the production of color filters for liquid-crystal displays, liquid-crystal VDUs, color resolution instruments, sensors, plasma screens, displays based on SED (surface conduction electron-emitter display) and for MLCC (multilayer ceramic compounds). In this case, the liquid color filter paint, also referred to as color resist, can be applied by a variety of application processes such as spin coating, knife coating, a combination of the two or by “non-impact” printing processes such as inkjet processes. MLCC technology is used in the production of microchips and circuit boards.

The copolymers can also be used to produce cosmetic preparations, for example makeup, powder, lipsticks, hair colors, creams, nail varnishes and sun protection preparations. These may be present in the usual forms, for example as W/O or O/W emulsions, solutions, gels, creams, lotions or sprays. The copolymers can be used advantageously in dispersions used to produce these preparations. These may contain the carrier media customary for these purposes in cosmetics, for example water, castor oils or silicone oils, and solids, for example organic and inorganic pigments such as titanium dioxide or iron oxide.

Finally, such a dispersant can also be used to produce a pigmented coating on a substrate, by applying the pigmented coating material to the substrate and baking or curing or crosslinking the pigmented coating material applied to the substrate.

The copolymers can be used alone or together with binders customary in the art. When they are used in polyolefins, it may be advantageous, for example, to use appropriate low molecular weight polyolefins as carrier materials together with the comb copolymer.

Another possible use of the copolymers is the production of dispersible powder-particulate and/or fiber-particulate solids, in particular dispersible pigments or polymeric fillers, the particles being coated with the comb copolymer. Such coatings of organic and inorganic solids are executed in a known manner, as described, for example, in EP-A-0 270 126. In this case, the solvent or emulsion medium can either be removed or remain in the mixture to form pastes. These pastes are conventional commercial products and may additionally contain binders and further auxiliaries and additives. Especially in the case of pigments, the pigment surface can be coated during or after the synthesis of the pigments, for example by addition of the copolymers to the pigment suspension or during or after pigment finishing. The pigments which have been pretreated in this way are notable for easier incorporability and for improved viscosity, flocculation and gloss characteristics, and higher color strength compared to untreated pigments.

Examples of pigments are monoazo, diazo, triazo and polyazo pigments, oxazine pigments, dioxazine pigments, thiazine pigments, diketopyrrolopyrroles, phthalo-cyanines, ultramarine and other metal complex pigments, indigoid pigments, diphenylmethane, triarylmethane, xanthene, acridine, quinacridone and methine pigments, anthraquinone, pyranthrone and perylene pigments and other polycyclic carbonyl pigments. Further examples of organic pigments may be found in the monograph: W. Herbst, K. Hunger “Industrial Organic Pigments”, 1997 (publisher: Wiley-VCH, ISBN: 3-52T-28836-8). Examples of inorganic pigments are pigments based on carbon black, graphite, zinc, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zinc sulfide, zinc phosphate, barium sulfate, lithopone, iron oxide, ultramarine, manganese phosphate, cobalt aluminate, cobalt stannate, cobalt zincate, antimony oxide, antimony sulfide, chromium oxide, zinc chromate, mixed metal oxides based on nickel, bismuth, vanadium, molybdenum, cadmium, titanium, zinc, manganese, cobalt, iron, chromium, antimony, magnesium, aluminum (for example nickel titanium yellow, bismuth vanadate molybdate yellow or chromium titanium yellow). Further examples are given in the monograph: G. Buxbaum “Industrial Inorganic Pigments”, 1998 (publisher: Wiley-VCH, ISBN: 3-527-28878-3). Inorganic pigments may also be magnetic pigments based on pure iron, iron oxides and chromium oxides or mixed oxides, metal effect pigments comprising aluminum, zinc, copper or brass and also pearl sheen pigments, fluorescent and phosphorescent luminous pigments. Further examples are nanosize organic or inorganic solids having particle sizes below 100 nm, such as certain types of carbon black or particles consisting of a metal or semimetal oxide or hydroxide, and also particles consisting of mixed metal and/or semimetal oxides or hydroxides. For example, the oxides and/or oxide hydroxides of aluminum, silicon, zinc, titanium, etc., can be used to produce such extremely finely divided solids. These oxide or hydroxide or oxide-hydroxide particles can be produced by a wide variety of different processes, for example ion-exchange processes, plasma processes, sol-gel processes, precipitation, comminution (for example by milling) or flame hydrolysis, etc. These nanoscale solids may also be what are called hybrid particles, which consist of an inorganic core and an organic shell, or vice versa.

Examples of pulverulent or fibrous fillers are, for example, those which are made up of pulverulent or fibrous particles of aluminum oxide, aluminum hydroxide, silicon dioxide, kieselguhr, diatomaceous earth, quartz, silica gel, talc, kaolin, mica, perlite, feldspar, ground shale, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, calcite, dolomite, glass or carbon. Further examples of pigments or fillers can be found, for example, in EP-A-0 270 126. It is also possible to achieve excellent dispersion and stabilization of flame retardants, for example aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, and matting agents, for example silicas.

The copolymers can also be used as an emulsifier for emulsions. Since emulsions are typically unstable systems which do not form spontaneously, interdispersion of the phases being obtainable only by shaking, stirring, homogenization or spray processes, emulsifiers are used to stabilize these unstable structures. The use of emulsifiers avoids separation of the phases.

The copolymers can also be used as rheological additives.

The copolymers can also be used as adhesion promoters.

The inventive polymers can be used in coating compositions, polymeric molding compositions, thermoplastics or other compositions within relatively wide ranges of amounts of 0.01 to 100% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 50% by weight, most preferably of 0.1 to 40% by weight, based in each case on the overall coating composition or the overall plastic,

Especially in coating compositions and plastics, such as polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics, the inventive polymers can preferably also be used in relatively small amounts of 0.01 to 5% by weight, preferably of 0.05 to 2% by weight and more preferably of 0.1 to 1% by weight, based in each case on the overall coating composition or the overall plastic.

The inventive polymers can be used as solutions, emulsions or as 100% materials, depending on the type and method of application of the coating composition, the polymeric molding composition, the thermoplastic or the other composition.

The present invention further provides coating materials, pastes and molding compositions comprising the inventive copolymers and one or more pigments, organic solvents and/or water, and optionally binders and auxiliaries customary in surface coatings. The invention further provides pigments coated with the inventive copolymers.

The invention further provides coating compositions and solids concentrates, for example pigment concentrates, which comprise at least one inventive polymer as an additive, for example as a flow control agent, as an additive for achieving a dirt-repellent surface, as a wetting agent/dispersant or as an adhesion promoter.

The invention further provides polymeric molding compositions and thermoplastics comprising at least one inventive polymer as an additive, for example as a flow control agent, as an additive for achieving a dirt-repellent surface, as a wetting agent/dispersant or as an adhesion promoter.

The invention further provides surfaces and bodies which have been coated with a coating composition comprising at least one inventive polymer as an additive, for example as a flow control agent, as an additive for achieving a dirt-repellent surface, as a wetting agent/dispersant or as an adhesion promoter.

EXAMPLES Abbreviations

“TMPO”=3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane “TMPO-EOX”=3-ethyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)oxetane, modified with an average of 3.3 mol of ethylene oxide “HEMA”=2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate “BA”=butyl acetate “EHA”=2-ethylhexyl acrylate “IBMA” isobutyl methacrylate “STY”=styrene “DMAEMA”=2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate “AA”=acrylic acid “PMA”=1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate (e.g. Dowanol PMA) Trigonox C (=tert-butyl perbenzoate) is a free-radical polymerization initiator (obtainable from Akzo Nobel Chemicals), Perkadox AMBN (=2,2′-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile) is a free-radical polymerization initiator (obtainable from Akzo Nobel Chemicals), Silaplane FM0721 is a polysiloxane monomethacrylate (Mw˜5000), obtainable from Chisso Corp. BLEMMER PME-1000 is a linear methoxy polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate (Mw˜1000) obtainable from NOF CORPORATION. BISOMER MPEG550MA is a linear methoxy polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate (Mw˜628), obtainable from Cognis. Fluowet MA600 is a fluorinated methacrylate from Clariant (3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyl methacrylate). Amberlyst IR120H is a cation exchange resin from Rohm & Haas. Amberlyst A-21 is an anion exchange resin from Rohm & Haas.

Analysis Methods: Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC):

Size exclusion chromatography was conducted at 40° C. with a high-pressure liquid chromatography pump (Bischoff HPLC 2200) and a refractive index detector (Waters 419). The eluent used was tetrahydrofuran (THF) with an elution rate of 1 ml/min. Conventional calibration was conducted by means of polystyrene standards. The number-average molecular weight Mn, the weight-average molecular weight Mw and the polydispersity Q=Mw/Mn were calculated by the program NTeqGPC.

NMR Spectroscopy:

NMR analyses were conducted with an NMR system (Bruker DPX 300) at 300 MHz (¹H) or 75 MHz (¹³C). The solvents used were deuterated chloroform (CDCl₃) and deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO-d₆).

Example 1 Synthesis of the Macromonomers Macromonomer 1 Preparation:

100 g of HEMA were introduced at room temperature into a reaction vessel which was equipped with a mechanical stirrer, an addition funnel, a thermometer, a heating jacket and a condenser. The reaction was conducted under standard atmosphere (air).

178.4 g of TWO and 200 g of TMPO-EOX were introduced into the addition funnel and mixed therein. The mixture of the oxetane monomers was homogeneous.

240 mg of hydroquinone and 240 mg of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol were added to the starter molecule (HEMA) in the reaction vessel. The mixture was stirred until a solution was obtained. To this was added 0.36 g of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a catalyst, and the temperature was increased to 80° C.

The mixture of the oxetane monomers was subsequently added dropwise continuously over the course of 8 hours, in the course of which the temperature was controlled such that it did not exceed 80° C. On completion of addition of the mixture of the oxetane monomers, the reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. for a further 2 hours.

Then the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and the viscous product was dissolved in 160 g of PMA. The catalyst was neutralized with Amberlyst A-21 and the on exchanger was filtered off.

Analysis of the Product:

NMR: no oxetane present Hydroxyl number: 269 mg KOH/g Iodine number: 28.5 g I₂/100 g

Macromonomer 2 Preparation:

100 g of HEMA were introduced at room temperature into a reaction vessel which was equipped with a mechanical stirrer, an addition funnel, a thermometer, a heating jacket and a condenser. The reaction was conducted under standard atmosphere (air).

267.7 g of TMPO were introduced into the addition funnel.

184 mg of hydroquinone and 184 mg of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol were added to the starter molecule (HEMA) in the reaction vessel. The mixture was stirred until a solution was obtained. To this was added 0.28 g of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a catalyst, and the temperature was increased to 75° C.

The oxetane monomer was subsequently added dropwise continuously over the course of 6 hours, in the course of which the temperature was controlled such that it did not exceed 80° C. On completion of addition of the oxetane monomer, the reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. for a further hour.

Thereafter, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and the viscous product was dissolved in 368 g of PMA. The catalyst was neutralized with Amberlyst A-21 and the on exchanger was filtered off.

Analysis of the Product:

NMR: no oxetane present Hydroxyl number: 214 mg KOH/g Iodine number: 24.9 g I₂/100 g

Macromonomer 3 Preparation:

A 1000-ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 67.94 g of HEMA, 0.375 g of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and 0.375 g of hydroquinone. Under a gentle air flow which is maintained over the entire reaction, the reaction mixture is heated. On attainment of a temperature of approx. 40° C., 0.77 g of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is added. On attainment of a temperature of 80° C., the metered addition of 682.06 g of TMPO-EOX is commenced. The metered addition is performed within 5.5 h, in the course of which the temperature is kept at 80° C. After a post-reaction time of 1 h 45 min, the mixture is cooled. 250 g of PMA are added. The catalyst is neutralized by adding 3.5 g of Amberlyst A21 while stirring. After 45 min, the ion exchanger is removed by filtration. This gives a pale yellow, viscous liquid.

Analysis of the Product:

NMR: no oxetane present

Hydroxyl number: 185 mg KOH/g Iodine number: 12.3 g I₂/100 g

Macromonomer 4 Preparation:

A 250-ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 28.50 g of HEMA, 0.1 g of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and 0.1 g of hydroquinone. Under a gentle air flow which is maintained over the entire reaction, the reaction mixture is heated. On attainment of a temperature of approx. 40° C., 0.22 g of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is added. On attainment of a temperature of 80° C., the metered addition of 171.50 g of TMPO-EOX is commenced. The metered addition is performed within 2 h, in the course of which the temperature is kept at 80° C. After a post-reaction time of 3 h 30 min, 50 g of methyl isobutyl ketone are added and the mixture is cooled to 60° C. The catalyst is neutralized by adding 1 g of Amberlyst A21 while stirring. After 1 h at 60° C. the on exchanger is removed by filtration. This gives a pale yellow, viscous liquid.

Analysis of the Product:

NMR: no oxetane present. Hydroxyl number: 209 mg KOH/g Iodine number: 21.4 g I₂/100 g

Macromonomer 5 Preparation:

1. Derivatization of TMPO-EOX with Glycidol to Give TMPO-EOX-GI

The reaction was conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere (drying with P₂O₅). 400 g of TMPO-EOX were initially charged in a 1000 ml 4-neck flask. A dropping funnel was used to add 17.59 g of potassium tert-butoxide and the mixture was stirred until a solution was obtained. The pale orange solution was heated to 80° C. With occasional application of reduced pressure, tert-butanol formed was distilled off over the course of 1 hour. The temperature of the reaction mixture was kept at 80° C. Then 340.22 g of the glycidol monomer were slowly added dropwise to the reaction mixture while stirring over the course of 4 hours (exothermic reaction), in the course of which the temperature of the reaction mixture was controlled such that it always remained below 90° C. After the addition had ended, the reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. for a further hour.

Then a sample was taken and analyzed immediately by means of NMR spectroscopy, which showed that no glycidol monomers were present any longer and the oxetane ring was intact. Thereafter, the reaction was ended and the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature. A viscous, yellowish liquid was obtained, which was diluted with 200 ml of methanol and neutralized with Amberlyst A21. The on exchange resin was filtered off. The solvents were distilled off under reduced pressure (down to 2 mbar at 50° C.). The subsequent NMR analysis showed that the product contained 4 mol of hydroxyl groups per 1 mol of oxetane.

2. Reaction of HEMA with TMPO-EOX and TMPO-EOX-GI

25 g of HEMA were introduced at room temperature into a reaction vessel which was equipped with a mechanical stirrer, an addition funnel, a thermometer, a heating jacket and a condenser. The reaction was conducted under standard atmosphere (air).

150.73 g of TMPO-EOX and 92.98 g of TMPO-EOX-GI were introduced into the addition funnel.

134 mg of hydroquinone and 134 mg of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol were added to the starter molecule (HEMA) in the reaction vessel. The mixture was stirred until a solution was obtained. To this was added 0.20 g of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a catalyst, and the temperature was increased to 75° C.

The mixture of the oxetane monomers was subsequently added dropwise continuously over the course of 6 hours, in the course of which the temperature was controlled such that it did not exceed 80° C. On completion of addition of the oxetane monomer, the reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. for a further hour.

Then the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and the viscous product was dissolved in 269 g of isobutanol. The catalyst was neutralized with Amberlyst A-21 and the on exchanger was filtered off.

Analysis of the Product:

NMR: no oxetane present Hydroxyl number: 547 mg KOH/g Iodine number: 10.0 g I₂/100 g

III. Further Derivatization of Macromonomers Macromonomer 6 Preparation:

A 250 ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 100 g of macromonomer 2 and 0.2 g of a 10% solution of dibutyltin laurate (DBTL) in xylene. Under a gentle nitrogen stream which is maintained over the entire reaction, the reaction mixture is heated to 60° C. On attainment of the temperature, 100 g of stearyl isocyanate are metered in within 30 min such that the temperature does not rise above 65° C. as a result of the heat of reaction released. After the addition has ended, the mixture is kept at 60° C. for another 4 h. The reaction is ended.

An NCO determination shows full conversion based on stearyl isocyanate. A pale yellow, viscous liquid is obtained, which partly solidifies under cold conditions.

Macromonomer 7 Preparation:

A 250 ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 100 g of macromonomer 4 and 0.3 g of a 10% solution of dibutyltin laurate (DBTL) in xylene. Under a gentle nitrogen stream which is maintained over the entire reaction, the reaction mixture is heated to 70° C. On attainment of the temperature, 200 g of MPEG350-TDI adduct (prepared from the reaction of MPEG350 with TDI, NCO content 7.97%, prepared analogously to patent DE10039837) are metered in within 45 min such that the temperature does not rise above 75° C. as a result of the heat of reaction released. After the addition has ended, the mixture is kept at 70° C. for another 3 h. The reaction is ended.

An NCO determination shows full conversion based on MPEG350-TDI adduct.

This gives a yellow, viscous liquid.

Example 2 Synthesis of the Inventive Polymers Polymer 1 Preparation:

Solvents and monomers were freed of air by blowing in nitrogen. The reaction was conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere.

The polymerization was conducted in a 500 ml four-neck flask which was equipped with a cooling unit, a heating jacket, thermometer, mechanical stirrer and a device for blowing in nitrogen.

The solvent PMA (142.61 g), the monomers IBMA (14.56 g), STY (9.80 g), macromonomer 3 (21.14 g) and Silaplane FM0721 (10.63 g), and the free-radical initiator Trigonox C (0.61 g), were introduced into the reaction vessel, mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and heated to 130° C. for 3 hours.

Subsequently, a further 0.1 g of the free-radical initiator Trigonox C was added. After a further 30 minutes, a further 0.1 g of the free-radical initiator was added again. The reaction was continued for a further 30 minutes and then the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=14 899 Polydispersity 4.47 Polymer 2 Preparation;

Solvents and monomers were freed of air by blowing in nitrogen. The reaction was conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere.

The polymerization was conducted in a 500 ml four-neck flask which was equipped with a cooling unit, a heating jacket, thermometer, mechanical stirrer and a device for blowing in nitrogen.

The solvent PMA (142.61 g), and the monomer Silaplane FM0721 (10.50 g) were introduced into the reaction vessel, mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and heated to 130° C.

The further monomers (IBMA (14.10 g), STY (9.68 g), macromonomer 3 (20.89 g), Fluowet MA600 (0.89 g)) and the free-radical initiator (Trigonox C (0.60 g)) and the chain transfer reagent (alpha-methylstyrene dimer (0.73 g)) were mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and introduced into an addition funnel. The monomers, the free-radical initiator and the chain transfer reagent were then introduced gradually into the reaction vessel over the course of 3 hours.

Thereafter, another 0.1 g of the free-radical initiator (Trigonox C) was added. After a further 30 minutes, 0.1 g of the free-radical initiator (Trigonox C) was added once again. This was repeated once again after a further 30 minutes, the reaction was again continued for another 30 minutes and the reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=10 560 Polydispersity 3.64 Polymer 3 Preparation:

Solvents and monomers were freed of air by blowing in nitrogen. The reaction was conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere.

The polymerization was conducted in a 500 ml four-neck flask which was equipped with a cooling unit, a heating jacket, thermometer, mechanical stirrer and a device for blowing in nitrogen.

The solvent PMA (71.33 g), and the monomer Silaplane FM0721 (26.38 g) were introduced into the reaction vessel, mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and heated to 110° C.

The further monomers (EHA (5.74 g), macromonomer 2 (15.88 g), and the free-radical initiator (Perkadox AMBN (0.30 g)) and the chain transfer reagent (alpha-methylstyrene dimer (0.37 g)) were mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and introduced into an addition funnel. The monomers, the free-radical initiator and the chain transfer reagent were then introduced gradually into the reaction vessel over the course of 3 hours.

After the addition had ended, the reaction was continued for a further 4.5 hours. Thereafter, another 0.07 g of the free-radical initiator was added. After a further 30 minutes, 0.07 g of the free-radical initiator was added once again. This was repeated once more after a further 30 minutes, then the reaction was continued for another 2 hours and the reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=17 410 Polydispersity 4.81 Polymer 4 Preparation:

Solvents and monomers were freed of air by blowing in nitrogen. The reaction was conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere.

The polymerization was conducted in a 500 ml four-neck flask which was equipped with a cooling unit, a heating jacket, thermometer, mechanical stirrer and a device for blowing in nitrogen.

The solvent PMA (50.18 g) was introduced into the reaction vessel, mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and heated to 110° C.

The monomers (EHA (33.33 g), AA (0.77 g), macromonomer 3 (43.9 g in PMA) and the free-radical initiator (Perkadox AMBN (0.82 g)) and the chain transfer reagent (alpha-methylstyrene dimer (1.01 g)) were mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and introduced into an addition funnel. The monomers, the free-radical initiator and the chain transfer reagent were then introduced gradually into the reaction vessel over the course of 3 hours.

After the addition had ended, the reaction was continued for a further 4 hours. Thereafter, another 0.15 g of the free-radical initiator was added. After a further 30 minutes, 0.15 g of the free-radical initiator was added once again. This was repeated once again after a further 30 minutes, then the reaction was continued for another 2 hours and the reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=10 508 Polydispersity 4.31 Polymer 5 Preparation:

Solvents and monomers were freed of air by blowing in nitrogen. The reaction was conducted under a nitrogen atmosphere.

The polymerization was conducted in a 500 ml four-neck flask which was equipped with a cooling unit, a heating jacket, thermometer, mechanical stirrer and a device for blowing in nitrogen.

The solvent isobutanol (85.24 g) was introduced into the reaction vessel, mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and heated to 110° C.

The monomers (EHA (38.97 g), AA (1.86 g), BISOMER MPEG550MA (64.92 g), macromonomer 3 (104.57 g) and the free-radical initiator (Perkadox AMBN (2 g)) and the chain transfer reagent (alpha-methylstyrene dimer (2.44 g)) were mixed, freed of air with nitrogen and introduced into an addition funnel. The monomers, the free-radical initiator and the chain transfer reagent were then introduced gradually into the reaction vessel over the course of 4 hours.

After the addition had ended, the reaction was continued for a further 3 hours. Thereafter, another 0.15 g of the free-radical initiator was added. After a further 30 minutes, 0.15 g of the free-radical initiator was added once again. This was repeated once again after a further 30 minutes, then the reaction was continued for another 2 hours and the reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=10 877 Polydispersity 2.81 Polymer 6

A 250 ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 47.94 g of Dowanol PMA and 2.57 g of Silaplane FM-0721. Over the course of the entire reaction, nitrogen is passed over. The reaction mixture is heated to 135° C. After the temperature has been attained, the mixture of 43.96 g of n-butyl acrylate, 4.88 g of macromonomer 4 and 0.5 g of Trigonox C are metered in within 3 h. After the end of metered addition, and 30 min and 60 min later, 0.25 g each time of Trigonox C is added once again. After a further 60 min, the reaction is ended.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=15 128 Polydispersity 3.14 Polymer 7

A 250 ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 47.94 g of Dowanol PMA and 2.57 g of Silaplane FM-0721. Over the course of the entire reaction, nitrogen is passed over. The reaction mixture is heated to 135° C. After the temperature has been attained, the mixture of 39.07 g of n-butyl acrylate, 9.77 g of macromonomer 4 and 0.5 g of Trigonox C are metered in within 3 h. After the end of metered addition, and 30 min and 60 min later, 0.25 g each time of Trigonox C is added once again. After a further 60 min, the reaction is ended.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=22 660 Polydispersity 4.73 Polymer 8

A 250 ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 73.50 g of Dowanol PMA and 4.45 g of Silaplane FM-0721. Over the course of the entire reaction, nitrogen is passed over. The reaction mixture is heated to 135° C. After the temperature has been attained, the mixture of 19.91 g of i-butyl methacrylate, 13.05 g of styrene, 10.42 g of HEMA, 1.16 g of macromonomer 4 and 0.67 g of Trigonox C are metered in within 3 h. After the end of metered addition, and 30 min and 60 min later, 0.112 g each time of Trigonox C is added once again. After a further 60 min, the reaction is ended.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=19 965 Polydispersity 3.99 Polymer 9

A 500 ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 192 g of Dowanol PMA. Over the course of the entire reaction, nitrogen is passed over. The reaction mixture is heated to 135° C. After the temperature has been attained, the mixture of 176.80 g of n-butyl acrylate, 31.20 g of macromonomer 4 and 1.03 g of Trigonox C are metered in within 2.5 h. After the end of metered addition, and 30 min and 60 min later, 0.52 g each time of Trigonox C is added once again. After a further 60 min, the reaction is ended.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=14 551 Polydispersity 2.96 Polymer 10

A 500 ml 4-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel is initially charged at room temperature with 144 g of Dowanol PMA. Over the course of the entire reaction, nitrogen is passed over. The reaction mixture is heated to 135° C. After the temperature has been attained, the mixture of 107.48 g of ethylhexyl acrylate, 25.12 g of ethyl acrylate, 32.96 g of macromonomer 4 and 0.773 g of Trigonox C are metered in within 3 h. After the end of metered addition, and 30 min and 60 min later, 0.38 g each time of Trigonox C is added once again. After a further 60 min, the reaction is ended.

Analysis of the Product (SEC): Mw=8798 Polydispersity 2.26 Polymer 11

PMA (47.4 g), macromonomer 3 (50 g) and alpha-methylstyrene dimer (1.1 g) are heated to 120° C. under nitrogen in a reaction vessel.

Then a mixture of DMAEMA (15.2 g) and Perkadox AMBN (1.1 g) is metered in at 0.5 ml/min. Thereafter, Perkadox AMBN (0.5 g) is added to the reaction. The post-reaction time is 2 hours. The polymer solution is adjusted to a solids content of 40% with PMA.

Mn=6751 g/mol

Mw/Mn=5.42 Comparative Example Comparative Polymer C1

(Random copolymer prepared with linear MPEG monomethacrylate (Blemmer PME 1000)

PMA (56.5 g), Blemmer PME 1000 (38 g) and alpha-methylstyrene dime (1.1 g) are heated to 120° C. under nitrogen in a reaction vessel.

Then a mixture of DMAEMA (16.3 g) and Perkadox AMBN (1.1 g) is metered in at 0.5 ml/min. Thereafter, Perkadox AMBN (0.5 g) is added to the reaction. The post-reaction time is 2 hours. The polymer solution has a solids content of 50%.

Mn=10 125 g/mol

Mw/Mn=5.67 Polymer 12 (Dispersant 3)

PMA (47.4 g), macromonomer 3 (50 g) and alpha-methylstyrene dimer (1.1 g) are heated to 120° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere in a reaction vessel.

Then a mixture of DMAEMA (15.2 g) and Perkadox AMBN (1.1 g) is metered in at 0.5 ml/min. Thereafter, Perkadox AMBN (0.5 g) is added to the reaction.

12 g of benzyl chloride and 30 g of butylglycol are added and the mixture is reacted at 120° C. for 2 hours. The polymer solution is adjusted to a solids content of 40% with PMA.

Polymer 13 (Dispersant 4)

PMA (47.4 g), macromonomer 3 (50 g) and alpha-methylstyrene dimer (1.1 g) are heated to 120° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere in a reaction vessel.

Then a mixture of DMAEMA (15.2 g) and Perkadox AMBN (1.1 g) is metered in at 0.5 ml/min. Thereafter, Perkadox AMBN (0.5 g) is added to the reaction.

25 g of Disperbyk 102 are added and the mixture is homogenized at 50° C. for 30 min.

The polymer solution is adjusted to a solids content of 40% with PMA,

Polymer 14 (Dispersant 5)

PMA (47.4 g), macromonomer 3 (50 g) and alpha-methylstyrene dimer (1.1 g) are heated to 120° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere in a reaction vessel.

Then a mixture of vinylimidazole (15.2 g) and Perkadox AMBN (1.1 g) is metered in at 0.5 ml/min. Thereafter, Perkadox AMBN (0.5 g) is added to the reaction.

The post-reaction time is 2 hours. The polymer solution is adjusted to a solids content of 40% with PMA.

Use Examples a) Flow Control Agent

Test system: acrylate-melamine baking varnish, clear

Composition (figures in parts by weight)

Setalux 1760 VB 64 44.0 Setalux C 91389 VX 45 16.5 Luwipal 018 25.3 butyldiglycol acetate 2.1 Solvesso 150 4.8 butanol 6.1 butyldiglycol 1.2 are mixed, then the following are added:

butanol 8.0 Solvesso 150 3.8 butyldiglycol 1.8 Setalux 1760 VB 64=acrylate baking resin, Nuplex Resins, Bergen op Zoom Setalux C 91389 VX 45=acrylate baking resin, Nuplex Resins, Bergen op Zoom Luwipal 018=melamine baking resin, BASF AG, Ludwigshafen

The flow control agents (polymer 6, polymer 7, polymer 9, polymer 10, Modaflow or no flow control agent, according to table below) were incorporated one day before application. The dosage was 0.15% by weight, based on the overall mixture.

The day of the application, the viscosity was adjusted with Solvesso 150 to 24 seconds, DIN 4 mm flow cup (23° C.). The application was effected by means of an automatic sprayer.

After a venting time of 30 minutes, curing was effected at 40° C. within 30 minutes.

The layer thickness was 20 μm.

The leveling was assessed with the wave-scan DOI from Byk-Gardner, by measuring the long wave, the short wave and the DOI (distinctness of image) value. Gloss and haze were assessed with the Haze-Gloss from Gardner.

Long wave Short wave DOI R20 Gloss Haze No add. 58 64 73 89 76 Modaflow^(*) 18 23 90 94 18 Polymer 6 2 14 92 97 13 Polymer 7 17 20 92 97 14 Polymer 9 12 16 92 97 14 Polymer 10 11 14 92 97 13 *MODAFLOW is a flow control agent from Cytec Industries

The results show that, when the polymers are used as a flow control agent, better results are achieved with regard to leveling, gloss and haze than in the case of use of a conventional flow control agent or without a flow control agent.

b) Dirt-Repellent Surfaces

Test system: acrylate/melamine baking varnish:

Setalux C1502 54.00% Maprena MF600 28.00% Shellsol A 4.00% Solvesso 150 4.00% xylene 10.00% Total 100.00%

-   Setalux C1502=acrylate baking resin, Nuplex Resins, Bergen op Zoom,     the Netherlands -   Maprenal MF600=melamine baking resin, Ineos Melamines, Frankfurt,     Germany

The percentages are percentages by weight, based on the overall mixture.

Production of the Acrylate-Melamine Baking Varnish:

All components are mixed and homogenized with a dissolver at a peripheral speed of 5 m/s for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the viscosity is adjusted with xylene to 24 seconds, DIN 4 mm cup (23° C.).

The additives to be tested are incorporated into the varnish with a Scandex agitator in a concentration of 1% by weight of active substance, based on the overall mixture, for 10 minutes.

After the incorporation, the additivized varnishes are applied to a primed aluminum sheet in a 100 μm wet film with a coating knife. After a venting time of 10 minutes, the sheets are baked at 140° C. for 20 minutes. Two sheets are produced for each additivized varnish.

The varnish films obtained are assessed for their dirt, water- and oil-repellent effect according to the following criteria:

Visual Assessment of the Varnish Surface:

The varnish surface is examined for opacity in the film and surface defects, such as craters, specks and incompatibilities.

Rating: 1-5

1=varnish surface with no surface defects 5=varnish surface with many surface defects

Edding Test:

An edding 400 permanent marker is used to inscribe the varnish surface, and a visual assessment is made as to whether the surface can be written on. There is an assessment of whether the ink on the surface spreads or draws together. After the ink has dried, an attempt is made to wipe it off with a dry cloth.

Rating: 1-5

1=ink draws together, can be removed with a paper towel without residue 5=ink spreads very well on substrate, is virtually impossible to remove

Bitumen Test:

Bitumen is heated until it has liquefied to such an extent that it can be applied to the varnish surface. After the bitumen mass has cooled, a visual assessment is made as to how well it can be detached again manually from the surface without residue.

Rating: 1-5:

1=bitumen can be removed easily and without residue 5=bitumen adheres firmly on the surface and is virtually impossible to remove Staining with Bayferrox Powder:

3 spoonfuls of Bayferrox 130M, iron oxide pigment, Bayer AG, are scattered onto the varnish surface and rinsed off again with distilled water in 5 squirts using a wash bottle. The substantially residue-free surface is assessed visually.

Rating: 1-5:

1=Bayferrox powder can be washed off with water with no residue 5=no cleaning effect on rinsing with water: a large red spot remains

Water Runoff Test:

One drop of water is applied to the surface. The coated varnish surface is then tilted until the drop runs off. There is a visual assessment as to the angle with which the drop runs off and whether the drop runs off without residue.

Rating: 1-5:

-   1=small angle is sufficient and the drop runs off completely without     forming traces and residual droplets. -   5=varnished sheet has to be tilted significantly before the drop     runs off; water residues possibly remain on the varnish surface

Mineral Oil Runoff Test:

One drop of commercial mineral oil is applied to the varnish surface. Subsequently, the coated varnish surface is tilted until the drop has run about 10 cm. After 5 minutes have elapsed, the oil trace or renewed drop formation is assessed visually.

Rating: 1-5:

1=the oil trace immediately reforms into individual drops 5=the oil trace does not reform, but possibly spreads further

The results obtained are shown in the following table:

Water Mineral Surface Edding Bitumen Bayferrox run oil Control 2 5 5 5 5 5 without additive Polymer 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 Polymer 8 1 1 1 1 1 1

The results show that the use of the polymers as additives achieves a very good dirt-, oil- and water-repellent surface.

c) Wetting Agent and Dispersant

Use of the polymers as a wetting agent and dispersant for production of pigment concentrates and use thereof in paint systems

Starting Materials

Uralac SN 831 polyester resin, manufacturer: DSM Resins Cymel 303 melamine-formaldehyde resin, manufacturer: Cytec industries Dynapol Catalyst 1203 catalyst; manufacturer: Evonik Degussa Ti Pure R960 titanium dioxide pigment, manufacturer: Du Pont Bayferrox 140M iron oxide red pigment, manufacturer: Lanxess Aerosil R972 hydrophobic, fumed silica, manufacturer: Degussa BYK 057 silicone-free polymer defoamer, manufacturer: Byk Chemie BYK 355 acrylate leveling additive, manufacturer: Byk Chemie Solvesso 150 ND aromatic solvent, manufacturer: ExxonMobil Dowanol PMA 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, manufacturer: Dow Chemical

Procedures Production of the Ti Pure R960 Pigment Concentrates Milling Conditions: Apparatus: Lau Paint Shaker DAS H [/A]200-K

Miffing time: 60 min, normal speed, maximum cooling Millbase additive: 50% by weight of glass beads (diameter 1 mm)

Composition of the Ti Pure 960 Pigment Concentrates:

Inventive: Comparative example: Pigment concentrate Pigment concentrate Ti pure 1 Ti pure 2 Millbase: Uralac SN831 26.2 26.2 Additive: 2.1 — polymer 11 Additive: — 2.1 comparative polymer C1 Dowanol PMA 5.0 5.0 Solvesso 150ND 10.8 11.2 Aerosil R972 0.6 0.6 BYK-057 0.3 0.3 Ti pure R960 55.0 55.0 100.0 100.0

Production of the Bayferrox 140M Pigment Concentrates: Milling Conditions: Apparatus: Lau Paint Shaker DAS H [/A]200-K

Miffing time: 120 min, normal speed, maximum cooling Millbase additive: 50% by weight of glass beads (diameter 1 mm)

Composition of the Bayferrox 140M Pigment Concentrates:

Inventive: Comparative example: Pigment concentrate Pigment concentrate Bayferrox 1 Bayferrox 2 Millbase: Uralac SN831 33.7 33.7 Additive: polymer 11 8.4 — Additive: comparative — 8.4 polymer C1 Dowanol PMA 5.0 5.0 Solvesso 150ND 7.1 8.7 Aerosil R972 0.5 0.5 BYK-057 0.3 0.3 Bayferrox 140M 45.0 45.0 100.0 100.0

Production of the Test Formulations Composition of the Clearcoat

Clearcoat Uralac SN 831 64.0 Cymel 303 13.8 Dynapol Catalyst 1203 4.9 BYK-057 0.4 BYK-355 1.1 Solvesso 150 ND 10.5 Dowanol PMA 5.3 100.0

Composition of the Test Formulations

White:red 70:30 Clearcoat 21.9 Ti Pure R960 pigment concentrate 19.1 Bayferrox 140M pigment 9.0 concentrate 50.0

A test formulation which comprised the pigment concentrates produced with the inventive polymer 11 was produced (Ti Pure 1 pigment concentrate and Bayferrox 1 pigment concentrate), as well as a comparative test formulation which comprised the pigment concentrates produced with the polymer of comparative example C1 (Ti Pure 2 pigment concentrate and Bayferrox 2 pigment concentrate).

After the production, the viscosity of the test formulations was adjusted with Solvesso 150ND to 90-110 sec (DIN 4 flow cup, 23° C.). The amount of Solvesso 150ND required for this purpose in each case can be found in the following table:

Test Starting Amount of Final formulation viscosity Solvesso viscosity comprising . . . [s] 150ND required [s] Ti pure 1 and Bayferrox 99 — 99 1 pigment concentrates (inventive) Ti pure 2 and Bayferrox 120 1% 105 2 pigment concentrates (comparative example)

Result:

The use of the inventive polymer 11 (prepared with branched oxetane-based macromonomers) as a wetting agent and dispersant gave a coating composition with lower viscosity than the comparative formulation comprising the noninventive comparative polymer C1 (prepared with noninventive linear polyether monomers).

Application of the Test Formulation

The day of production, the test formulations were applied to substrates under the following conditions:

-   Substrates: Alcan aluminum sheets, precoated with a PU primer layer     of thickness of about 5 μm -   Knife-coating application: 80 μm (wet) -   Oven temperature: 320° C. -   Baking time: 30 s -   Max. metal temperature: 235° C. -   Dry film layer thickness: 18-20 μm

The separation, floating and flocculation properties were evaluated as follows.

Rub-Out Test

Immediately after the application, the freshly applied paint layers on the two halves of the substrate surface were subjected to a rub-out test.

For this purpose, some parts of the fresh paint layers were rubbed mechanically after the application and then the change in hue caused by the rubbing (rub-out effect) was measured with respect to the unrubbed paint. The causes of the rub-out effect are, for example, flocculation and/or floating of pigments. If pigment flocculates are present, they are destroyed by the shearing effect in the course of rubbing, and the original target hue is the result. The rub-out effect can be minimized by suitable dispersants, and is thus a measure of the efficacy of a dispersant.

calorimetric Analyses (ΔE, Lab)

-   Apparatus: Color guide, BYK-Gardner -   Illuminant: D65 standard light (daylight) -   Analysis field: 10° -   Analysis geometry: d/8° spin (diffuse illumination, angle of     observation 8°) -   Number of measurements: n=3

The colorimetry results are reproduced in the table below.

The ΔE determined for a formulation indicates the color difference between the rubbed and unrubbed sites of the coating (rub-out effect).

The Lab values correspond to the color parameters L (brightness), a (red-green) and b (blue-yellow) of the CIELAB color space.

Test formulation Δ E Lab Gloss comprising . . . unstirred unstirred 60° Pigment concentrates 0.13 50.73 93 Ti pure 1 and 21.02 Bayferrox 1 6.95 (inventive) Pigment concentrates 0.47 50.77 92 Ti pure 2 and 20.39 Bayferrox 2 6.25 (comparative example)

The use of the inventive polymers obtained with oxetane-based macromonomers as a wetting agent and dispersant gives formulations which, even without prior stirring, have a lower rub-out effect (ΔE) than those formulations which comprise conventional dispersants produced with linear polyether-based monomers.

d) Paint Surfaces with High Surface Tension

Testing in a Polyester Powder Clearcoat:

Uralac P865 94.1 parts by weight polyester resin, DSM Primid XL-552  4.9 parts by weight hydroxyalkylamide crosslinker, EMS-Chemie benzoin  0.5 part by weight MERCK Flow control agent  0.5 part by weight

Production of the Powder Coatings

The flow control agents (BYK 361 N or Polymer 5) were each incorporated into the powder coating resin as 10% masterbatches. This was taken into account in the initial weighing of the resin. The masterbatch is produced by melting the appropriate powder coating resin and mixing with the flow control agent. After cooling, the masterbatch mixture is comminuted.

All components were weighed in together and premixed at 1500 rpm in a Mixaco Lab CM3 high-speed mixer for 2.5 min. Thereafter, the mixtures were extruded in a Prism TSE 16 twin-screw extruder at 120° C. The resulting resin melt was cooled, crushed and ground in a Retsch ZM 100 pinned-disk mill. The resulting powder was passed through a 100 μm sieve.

The powder coating mixture thus formed was then applied electrostatically to Q-Panels aluminum A-36 sheets, and the sheets thus coated were baked in a forced-air oven at 180° C. for 14 minutes.

Assessment of the Resulting Powder Coating Surfaces

The static contact angles with respect to water on the powder coating surfaces were measured in order to characterize the hydrophilicity of the surface.

The measurements were conducted under conditioned conditions (23° C.; 65% rel. air humidity) with a contact angle measuring instrument from Krüss (Easy Drop, equipped with a camera). The contact angles were evaluated with accompanying analysis software. Triple determinations were always conducted. The reported characteristics are mean values; deviations present are shown as +/−.

Result:

Layer Wave thickness Scan Water contact angle Additives μm LW SW [°] BYK 361 N^(*) 65 29 18 76 +/− 1 Polymer 5 65 28 20 12 +/− 1 *BYK 361 N is a flow control additive from BYK-Chemie GmbH.

It is clear from the results that the use of inventive polymer 5 leads to a significant reduction in the contact angle with respect to water.

Visual Assessment of the Paint Surface:

The paint surface is examined for opacity in the film and surface defects, such as runs and incompatibilities. No adverse effect on the surface properties arises through the use of the inventive polymers. 

1. A polymer obtainable by free-radical polymerization of one or more macromonomers and optionally one or more further free-radically polymerizable comonomers, characterized in that the macromonomer(s) is/are obtainable by reacting at least one hydroxyoxetane of the formula (I)

in which R¹ is alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, R² is hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, and R³ is in each case independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, with a starter molecule U-L-X—H in which U=an ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group, L=divalent organic radical without free-radically polymerizable groups, and X—H=group which cannot be polymerized free-radically and has an active hydrogen atom H, in a molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s) of the formula (I):starter molecule) of (100:1) to (1:1) in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst in a cationic ring-opening polymerization.
 2. The polymer as claimed in claim 1, wherein U=an ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group other than allyl [H₂C═CH—CH₂—].
 3. The polymer as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one further, free-radically polymerizable comonomer is used as well as the macromonomer(s) of the formula (I).
 4. The polymer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one further, free-radically polymerizable comonomer is a polydimethylsiloxane mono(meth)acrylate.
 5. The polymer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one further, free-radically polymerizable comonomer is selected from the group consisting of n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, tetradecyl, acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, tetradecyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxybutyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate, styrene, ethyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, hydroxybutyl vinyl ether, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, maleic anhydride, polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate, polypropylene glycol monomethacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol-propylene glycol) monomethacrylate, α-butyldimethylsiloxy-ω-(3-methacryloyloxypropyl)polydimethylsiloxane, α-butyldimethylsiloxy-ω-(3-methacryloyloxypoly(ethylene oxide)propyl)polydimethylsiloxane, N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine and vinylimidazole,
 6. The polymer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proportion of the macromonomer(s) of the formula (I) is between 1 and 60% by weight based on the total weight of all macromonomers and comonomers used.
 7. A process for preparing a polymer as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more macromonomers obtainable by reacting at least one hydroxyoxetane of the formula (I)

in which R¹ is alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, R² is hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, and R³ is in each case independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaryloxy, with a starter molecule U-L-X—H in which U=an ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable head group, L=divalent organic radical without free-radically polymerizable groups, and X—H=group which cannot be polymerized free-radically and has an active hydrogen atom H, in a molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s) of the formula (I):starter molecule) of (100:1) to (1:1) in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst in a cationic ring-opening polymerization, and optionally one or more further, free-radically polymerizable comonomers are free-radically polymerized.
 8. The use of a polymer as claimed in claim 1 as an additive in coating compositions or plastics.
 9. The use of the polymer of claim 8, wherein the polymer is added to the coating composition or the plastic in an amount of 0.01-5% by weight, based in each case on the overall coating composition or on the overall plastic.
 10. A coating composition comprising at least one polymer as claimed in claim
 1. 11. A plastic comprising at least one polymer as claimed in claim
 1. 